biotechnology

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

Killing Chinese Life Sciences, Part I: Poisoning WuXi AppTec and its Kin

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard
Posted: Mar 26, 2024

In January 2024, Congressman Mike Gallagher, the Chair of the United States (US) House Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, introduced the “Biosecure Act,” which prohibits the US government (USG) from “procuring or obtaining biotechnology equipment or services produced or provided by a biotechnology company of concern,” participating in a c

Bounding Investment In China: Constraints and Complications

The United States (US) has been striving for some time to hinder China’s acquisition of technology-related hardware, software, and intellectual property (IP) through export controls, limits on Chinese investment in American high-tech firms, and even investigations of researchers tied to Chinese universities and think tanks. The goal ostensibly is to prevent Beijing from acquiring technology that would bolster China’s military capabilities. For those more cynical, Washington is attempting to undercut China economically and, in turn, contain China or prevent its rise.

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

Finding Greatness in China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA), part I: Diving into the Bay

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard
Posted: Aug 04, 2021

Possessing about a decade-long lineage, China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA) formally began in 2017 with the signing of a Framework Agreement between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The objective is to create a mega economic cluster, involving 11 cities (e.g., Guangzhou, Dongguan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Shenzhen) that will be a leading international financial hub, a major global innovation center, a critical node between China and Southeast Asia, a world-class research center in fields such as biotechnology, and, more recently, a major link to China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

MNCs in the News-2019-08-01

China has opened the upstream exploration of its oil and natural gas resources by foreign investors by scrapping joint venture (JV) restrictions. In the first half of the year, the top geographic destination for Chinese inward foreign direct investment (FDI) continued to be Jiangsu, which attracted large amounts of inward FDI (FDI) in emerging industries from countries like Great Britain. Cross-border investments between China and the United States (US) totaled $13 billion in the first half of 2019, dropping to a five-year low due to the trade war and other factors. In 2018, Chinese investors poured money into Indian start-ups due to the latter’s more affordable labor market and fast economic growth. Japan’s Cabinet approves removal of South Korea from its so-called white list with Seoul promising retaliation. Fears of a more stringent review process flowing from current tensions lead Hyundai Heavy Industries to delay filing for an antitrust review in regard to its planned takeover of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. Seoul organizes information events for Korean companies that might be affected by Tokyo’s decision to remove Korea from its “whitelist,” with Korean firms complaining the initiatives are “‘unhelpful and belated.’” SK Innovation contemplates supplying electric vehicle (EV) battery separators to its Korean competitors because this could aid Korean businesses confronting Japanese export restrictions on EV battery separators.

MNCs in the News-2019-05-31

Foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic firms, lured by, respectively, China’s consumer stimulus and attractive valuations may mitigate the adverse effects of the US-China trade war on China. The trade war and new regulatory environment is driving Fosun to limit its investments in United States (US) biotech companies and to turn its attention to emerging markets. Namibia amenable to China National Uranium Corporation taking over the world’s longest-running open pit uranium mine provided it respects Namibian employment laws. Japan tightens restrictions on FDI in its high-tech sectors. Japan’s Inpex Corp. strikes USD $20 billion framework deal with Indonesia to develop an onshore liquefied natural gas facility. Large Korean companies remain on the sidelines in the wake of the US’s action to limit the supply of parts to China’s Huawei. To protect their interests in China, Korean firms are courting Chinese party leaders, forming joint ventures, and investing billions of dollars in Chinese high-tech sectors.